On August 3^rd & 4^th 2019 the club operated the Special Event Station GB1CSR at Cromford Steam Rally as we have done for many years.

With the high risk of poor weather (as the folk of  Whaley Bridge further north in the county struggled)  it was only last minute that the event actually happened.

Early on Saturday morning the event team of  Ray M0TVX, Mel M0RNU Frank 2E1EVH and XYL Heather and Lyn G0NNU set up the Event Shelter  with  G5RV HF and Colinear  2M antennas.

This years location adjacent to the main toilet block did not seem ideal although convenient (pun intended). In practice as it was on the main path it received maximum visibility and many existing hams plus some potential members called in .The photos show the great views of the show. Some of the ground at the extremes was muddy but the organisers had made a great job of keeping most  of the site in good condition. Plenty of contacts were made from early on using 2m but as usual HF was limited. The weather was glorious and everybody had a great day regardless. Late on the day the new generator failed so Saturday was back to batteries with solar back up.  Again a glorious day with the threatened  thunder showers being very limited. Lots of early contacts again but as the show got busier interference increased with second hand reports that callers had been unable to make contact even though we were strong outgoing.  Again plenty of visitors and a really enjoyable day including several bargain purchases such as large tripods that we now expect to see on field days.

The first batch of photos is from Saturday by Alan M0OLT and the second on Sunday  by Frank 2E1EVH.

Possibly the best ever J28 Rally.

A number of people have said to me after the rally that it was the best ever. As I have only been going for a few years I cannot comment. It seemed a very happy day for all I spoke to. Financially it raised more than ever but of course with inflation it won’t go as far as perhaps in the early days. The success is down to all who helped before and on the day. Anya for all the initial work.  Anya & David called in on the day (looking brighter than last time I saw them). All the club members who helped with the set up. All of the traders who support us (see some comments below). But above all “Thank You” to everybody who turned up and spent their pennies on the bargains. Thanks to you next year is booked.

SUNDAY 14th JUNE 2020 at Alfreton Leisure Centre. Booking forms and details will be available early in the new year.

See you there.  Alan Jones Club Secretary

Some email extracts:

We had a great day and as ever a great  friendly welcome. See you next year.

Rgs Lee

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J28 is always enjoyable and is a ‘must attend’ for me.

It is also nice to catch up with NBTVers, both ex- and current.

I’m sure I speak for Jeremy too in thanking you for all the hard work that went into organising the event.

See you next year,

Karen

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we had a very enjoyable and profitable day. The stewards were all very friendly, helpful and obliging. One helped us in with our stuff! No complaints at all but hot breakfasts and meals would have sold very well and were sorely missed!  Certainly will be with you next year either buying or selling

Peter

( Already replied:-There is a large café on site)

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I would agree a very good day.Sold most of my gear….. I believe Amateur Radio is alive not dead as some say!

All the best, Geoff.

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I’ve not stood at many events but found Snadarc very efficient. What surprised me was an offer of help from one of the crew in shifting stuff to the table. Not needed but very welcome.

Antoni

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Excellent Alan, glad all came well for you. Once again a brilliant, well organised and attended rally, see you next year.

Regards  Graham

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Free Draw results:-

Prizes   Ticket no

1              261

2              95

3              329

4              346

5              185

6              91

7              78

8              135

9              153

10           286

11           347

Photos :

courtesy of Dave Shaw, Anya Lawrence, Alan Jones.

Easter 2019 has reached record levels for good weather so our first visit of the year on Saturday April 20th turned out as a glorious day.
Crich Stand Memorial has a tower in memory of those from the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, built in 1851 although records show towers from 1760. It had a light which in 1934 had a range of 38 miles. There is also a Jubilee Beacon from 2002. With other memorials in the grounds and spectacular views of several counties, being 1000 ft asl, it is a popular location. www.crich-memorial.org.uk
The club is very lucky to be allowed access for events with none of the noise levels most of us are now used to.
A dozen members enjoyed the day using half a dozen radios and a selection of antennae from homebuilt Magloop, VHF beam, VHF and HF verticals to an Endfed wire slung along a hedge with spectacular results . HF reached a special event station in Spain and east to Bulgaria whilst VHF reached from Birmingham to Sheffield giving lots of local chats with jealous contacts. The new lightweight generator coped admirably, being quiet and using much less fuel than its predecessor.

73 Alan M0OLT